Smartpen Research & News

Smartpen research is evidence that the concept of pen and paper is changing right along with advances in technology. In fact, smartpens are such a different genre of technology that they have been creating quite a buzz. More and more people are finding out how this technology can be a life-changing tool for both in the classroom and in the workplace.

Below, we've listed our favorite smartpen research and news articles to allow you to "check out" the facts behind this technology, especially if you haven't had firsthand experience with a Livescribe smartpen. The only one of its kind to incorporate the recording of audio as well as the digitizing of handwritten notes, the research of its effectiveness really is exciting.

Many of these research and news articles also contain great
ideas for implementing smartpens in your own school or
business.

Computerized pen boosts confidence for students with learning disabilities by UC Berkeley Disabled Students ProgramThis study followed the use of smartpens for note taking by 40 college students with various disabilities. It found that smartpens reduced classroom anxiety for many students and that the benefits of using smartpens depended greatly on the details of the learning disability.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Livescribe Smartpen Pilot Program - Winter and Spring Quarters 2008-09by Susan Ackerman and Mina SuchakRIT’s Disability Services conducted a pilot program to evaluate the use of the Pulse Livescribe Smartpens with students registered with their office who were either currently receiving the accommodation of note-taking or who had expressed a desire for a tool to help with their note-taking. Participants in the study were happy with the Livescribe Smartpen. The majority of participants decided to continue using a smartpen in place of a note-taker. The one student who did not wish to continue using the smartpen without a back-up note-taker stated that he wanted to use both the smartpen and a note-taker.

Cognitive Effort During Note Takingby A. Piolat, T. Olive, and R.T. KelloggThis often cited article shares smartpen research and a graph that shows that the cognitive effort required for note taking is greater than playing chess at both the novice and expert level.

Smartpen News

The Pen That Never Forgetsby Clive Thompson, The Wall Street JournalOne of the best news articles published regarding the Livescribe smartpen, this article includes how the Livescribe smartpen got it's start, practical uses, why it works, and some interesting ideas on notetaking. This is a must-read!

How Handwriting Trains the Brain: Forming Letters is Key to Learning, Memory, Ideasby Gwendolyn Bounds, The Wall Street JournalIf you think we will leave the pen and pencil behind someday, reading this article might have you second-guessing that thought. This fascinating article discusses how writing by hand engages the brain in learning. My son's eighth-grade English teacher who required that students turn work in using cursive would have loved this article, and it helped me understand why I learn so much better when I take notes by hand.